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23 September - Eton Manor 25 Upper Clapton 5
First fixture for the boys this season and it’s a league game over to Eton Manor. After a scrappy first 10 minutes with both sides demonstrating some pretty inept ball handling skills the game settled into one where, in the first half, Clapton had by far the majority of possession and territory but failed to make the score, whereas Manor scored from their 2 journeys into the Clapton half. As the half time whistle approached Clapton went on the attack and from a rolling maul on the right hand side of the field the ball popped out and through some excellent (at last) passing amongst the backs the ball ended with an ecstatic Alex Babbs who ducked, weaved and dove over for the Clapton try.
The half time talk from Tony Martin the under 13's new coach was full of positives, just keep the pressure up and the defence tight and the scores will come; so refreshed the team went back onto the pitch only to concede in the first 5 minutes! Legs tired in the second half and the stronger Manor pack took control at one point taking a maul some 30 meters up field. James Buckingham took a bad knock on the knee mid way through the half and injuries followed to Matt Moody and James Carr but to their credit all three stayed on the pitch and battled on and with Fraser Parris putting in some excellent tackling on his debut at open side flanker the team showed good levels of commitment. Clapton, although undeserving of the win, were not helped by some odd decision making by the referee which led to two further tries for the home side late on in the game which flattered Manor somewhat but Clapton know they have some work to do in training before their next game in two weeks.
Special thanks go to our new shirt sponsor Moss Electrics.
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